Hey all! Well, we finally made it out of Winter! It’s hanging on in the east. Temperatures are staying low although it does peak into the 60’s & 70’s now but at night it still likes to go down into the 40’s even in the 30’s! Anyway, I can’t wait until it’s HOT!!! EVERY DAY!!! Can you tell that I really hate the cold & all things winter?
It sounds kind of crazy but I kind of can’t wait until I’m 65!!! I know but, I plan to never stop working. That’s how much I love making art. I also don’t plan on retiring here. The Philippines! I plan to get a beach house & just draw. Now people are like “I hope you have millions saved!” Well, I’ve done my research & this lifestyle does not cost millions over there. In fact, far from it! And guess what? Tropical!!! IT NEVER SNOWS!!! That’s for me.
Enough about that, I’m finally launching http://littleblackcrayon.com. I encourage you to go there and check it out (when it launches in a few days)! And if you’re so inclined, do some coloring! We’ll have new stuff to color every week! You can also stop by store & order a custom coloring page starring you or your family & friends! There’s also a branded T-shirt & other things you can pick up. Check it out! Keep your boy in Chinese food!!!
In other entrepreneurial news, I’ve added a merch page to my website where you can pick up a number of branded things. You can find it here: https://lci-studios.com/portfolio/merch-for-the-site/ .
You’ll find a number of designs that are actually featured on the site in the graphic design section. I actually had these things on different sites but I took some time & put them all on Teepublic & made them available for purchase! So purchase em’!!!
Also, I’ve been working on another website that deals with one of my favorite things. Action & adventure movies & tv shows. I’ll be reviewing them! The likes of Bruce Lee, the Shaw Brothers, Jim Kelly, Gordon Liu & others. We’re going to dive into the things they made & their cultural influences.
I’ll be to sure to let you know when that launches. In fact, one of the articles in this newsletter is from that site! The Shaw Brothers article explores that movie studio & their beginnings. So, make sure you check that out & get ready for a lot more!
Well, thus endeth my letter to you all for this month. Check out the rest of the newsletter and remember you can always use the button at the bottom of the page to contact me with any questions or concerns. See ya next month!
L
Why you should still collect physical media
Ok, I know, I know… Larry you old creep. Why in the hell would I collect something like a stupid DVD when I can stream anything I want and save all that space! Uuuuggghhhh… old people. What is he? Gen X?
So, yeah I’m what you “old”. By the way, your Hip Hop sucks. Anyway, I’m a dedicated cord cutter. In fact, I’m launching a site in the upcoming months (it’s already designed!) to teach people how to drop cable & still watch the programs that you love & guess what? Streaming is a big part of that!
Let me tell ya, I was a member of Netflix when they were sending out DVD’s! I Still have one as a matterafact! So, I was an early adopter of streaming. When Netflix put up their first streaming test… We’ll, I streamed it.
That said, with all that going on I was still growing my DVD collection. I kind of knew that things eventually would become unavailable for whatever reason & I was right!
Some of my favorites are either not available or behind paywalls. Thank God whenever that happens my collection bails me out!
So, a bunch of these unholy companies have stopped offering DVD’S & stopped making DVD players. Bastards! Luckily for you a bunch of sites like ebay have popped up where you can buy this stuff.
EBay is king but because of the situation we find ourself in, a bunch of specialty stores have started up to carry these “collectible” items not to mention you can get yourself a DVD burner & make your own. Plus you can get a laptop that plays DVD’s. However, it is what it is. Watch this blog on an app called Plex. Basically with this installed you can make your own Netflix! Seriously, it works & it’s LEGAL!!!
Anyway, your options are numerous. However, read on and learn about physical media & how awesome it is. These companies will do anything to turn a profit including screw you (even if you have a ton of subscriptions & cable). Physical media can help you avoid that. It uses no WIFI & it’s available whenever you want it. Cool huh! Well, if you’re interested, read on…
In an era where streaming dominates, collecting movies on physical media—whether DVD, Blu-ray, or 4K Ultra HD—may seem outdated. However, physical media remains an essential and rewarding way to enjoy films. Whether you’re a casual movie fan or a dedicated cinephile, here are some compelling reasons why owning physical copies of movies is still worthwhile.
True Ownership
When you buy a physical copy of a movie, you actually own it. Streaming services operate on a licensing model, meaning titles can disappear at any time due to expired agreements or corporate decisions. Physical media ensures that you have a permanent copy that won’t vanish overnight.
Better Video and Audio Quality
Streaming services compress video and audio to conserve bandwidth, which can result in a loss of detail, color depth, and sound quality. Physical formats like Blu-ray and 4K UHD offer superior bitrates, providing a noticeably better visual and auditory experience—especially for cinephiles with high-quality TVs and sound systems …. read more
Shaw Brothers: Bruce Lee Movies Before Bruce Lee
I love Bruce Lee movies. Seriously, I can’t get enough. The guy was great & by all accounts the stuff you saw him do on screen he could really do (well, except for beating up 100 guys at the same time.)
However, the movies he made were different but they were also part of an ages old tradition that he tapped into.
A lot of the movies back then grew out of the Chinese opera. Even the movements seen in the fights were based on the Chinese opera. So’ those jackasses that go around saying “Well, that stuff wouldn’t work in real life…” don’t realize that kind of stuff. It’s super, SUPER stylized but done by real deal martial artist.
In fact, if you ever get a chance to see a real Chinese opera… Go!!! And you’ll see what I’m talking about. The 70’s fighting movies really borrowed a lot from that art form. Most just modernized it & added things for entertainment value.
One of the companies that was really prolific about making those movies and along with Bruce sparked the martial arts craze in the United States (& the world) was the Shaw Brothers Studio.
A lot of their hits can be heard sampled by the super Hip Hop group Wutang Clan which lets you know that the Shaw Brothers reach into popular culture is nothing short of incredible.
So take a little time & read about the company that actually inspired the Matrix & many other Hollywood powerhouses productions with their acrobatic martial moves. Ladies & gentleman, I present to you… the Shaw Brothers!!!
The Legacy of the Shaw Brothers: Masters of Hong Kong Cinema
When it comes to classic martial arts and Hong Kong cinema, one name stands above the rest: Shaw Brothers Studio. Founded in 1958, the studio became the defining force in Chinese-language cinema for decades, producing some of the most influential martial arts films of all time. The Shaw Brothers’ impact on action filmmaking, pop culture, and the global perception of kung fu movies remains undeniable.
The Rise of Shaw Brothers … read more
Random Drive Dump
For a potential Bruce Lee style guide. This is a looong story that begins at a tradeshow. I think I’ll make an article about it so, stay tuned!!!
This is one from the archives. This is a Batgirl redesign from years ago. I wanted to add some armor.
From my children’s book samples. Another old one!
Well, that’s it for this one! I’ll see you next month for a new one! Don’t forget to check out littleblackcrayon.com and become a member! It’ll be live in a couple of days. Just giving it the once over. Making sure everything is working right. I’ll actually send out a special email to let you know that it’s open! See ya!!!
L